Published at an unknown time, Dana C. Munro wrote, “The Capture of Constantinople” which talked about how the crusaders were unable to pay the Venetians and how they were going to repay them. After collecting marks for horses, knight and esquires the crusaders still fell short. Then in 1203, The Doge, Enrico Dandolo, presented an idea to the crusaders that offered to take them across the sea if they could repay the 36,000 marks from their first conquest. As the Doge tried to carry out this plan, in the end it seemed that the Doge had a well thought out plan and was going to be successful.
An engraving of Enrico Dandolo, from the early 19th century.
As the Doge stated, he and the Venetians agreed that they would put the plan into action only if they were paid 36,000 marks which made the crusaders very happy. The crusaders “bound themselves very willingly to do faithfully what the doge had proposed” (Munro). By obeying doge’s proposition willingly, it showed that the crusaders were going to take part in the plan. Also, by stating that they were going to be true to what the Doge wanted, they showed signs of agreeance in that they were going to do exactly what he wanted which would make him successful. The same night they bound themselves, the crusaders appeared to be very happy and, “each one carried great torches made of candles on the end of his lance, both outside of the camp and inside, so that the whole army seemed intoxicated” (Munro). Additionally, the army and the crusaders appeared to be thrilled and excited by their decision. By carrying a torch it was a sign that someone was going to participate or guarantee they were going to do something, so by carrying them it indicated that the crusaders were on board so the Doge could carry through with his plan.
Overall, the doge was able to guide the crusaders to follow his plan. He showed that they agreed by having them carrying torches untimely symbolizing that they were lighting the way for his plan to take action. Laura LeVonne
As the Doge stated, he and the Venetians agreed that they would put the plan into action only if they were paid 36,000 marks which made the crusaders very happy. The crusaders “bound themselves very willingly to do faithfully what the doge had proposed” (Munro). By obeying doge’s proposition willingly, it showed that the crusaders were going to take part in the plan. Also, by stating that they were going to be true to what the Doge wanted, they showed signs of agreeance in that they were going to do exactly what he wanted which would make him successful. The same night they bound themselves, the crusaders appeared to be very happy and, “each one carried great torches made of candles on the end of his lance, both outside of the camp and inside, so that the whole army seemed intoxicated” (Munro). Additionally, the army and the crusaders appeared to be thrilled and excited by their decision. By carrying a torch it was a sign that someone was going to participate or guarantee they were going to do something, so by carrying them it indicated that the crusaders were on board so the Doge could carry through with his plan.
Overall, the doge was able to guide the crusaders to follow his plan. He showed that they agreed by having them carrying torches untimely symbolizing that they were lighting the way for his plan to take action.
Laura LeVonne